Internal dry powder delivery system and method thereof

ABSTRACT

An internal dry powder delivery system through a working channel of an endoscopic cannula for directly applying the powder form medication to an internal tissue/organ site, includes an elongated tubular delivery channel and a powder supply device for producing pressurized gas mixing with the dry powder for feeding to form a mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas delivering to an internal tissue/organ site through the delivery channel via endoscopic cannula. It ensures a smooth powder release by preventing liquid from accumulation at the tip of the delivery channel and offers physicians a new powder form drug delivery method via endoscope. Also, it offers new minimal invasive application by directly and precisely applying the powder format drug to the internal sites of human gastrointestinal organ via endoscope to achieve hemostasis, anti-inflammation, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor treatment, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to dry powder delivery system, and moreparticular to an internal dry powder delivery system and method thereoffor delivering dry powder to reach internal operation site, especiallyduring a minimally invasive surgery or other similar internalapplication for beings such as humans or animals.

2. Description of Related Arts

Generally, medications are in liquid form, capsule form, pill form, andpowder form. The common difficulty for physicians is how to directlyapply powdered medication to the internal tissue/organ site of a humanor an animal such as human gastro-intestine.

Traditionally, the only application of powdered medications is toenclose the powder in a capsule made of a material that will notimmediately dissolve or to compress the powder into the pill form. Whenthe capsule or pill is consumed into the patient's stomach andintestine, the enclosure skin of the capsule will dissolve and thepowder particles will be exposed and absorbed.

Conventionally, powder form medications can be applied by topicalapplication during open surgery. It may normally be ingested as tabletsor powder capsules. Tablets and powder capsules' strengths are oftendiluted by gastric and intestinal juice and could not offer precisedelivery and dosage control to the target wound site. In turn,physicians can not accurately control the amount of medication reachingthe designated site. Therefore, it cannot be used when physicians wantto directly control the dosage and dryness status of the powder to applythe target wound sites of human gastro-intestine before contact withliquid in the digestive system.

The minimal invasive procedure via endoscope has been widely used fordiagnosis and surgery. When using endoscope during inspection andsurgery, physicians often need to apply medications to an internaltissue site. Via endoscope, physicians can inspect the internalorgan/tissue and conduct surgical procedures inside of the human body.In general, endoscopes consist of gastro-intestinal endoscope,laparoscope, thoracoscope, hysteroscope, cytoscope, laryngoscope, andnasopharyngoscope etc. Besides for medical use, endoscopes can also beused to inspect mechanical or electrical problems in the industries suchas automobile maintenance, mechanical setups, petroleum engineering,electrical facilities, aviator equipments, coal-gas passages,architectures, water pipe systems etc.

For example, laparoscope and gastro-intestinal endoscopes have astandard total length about 600 mm to 1700 mm depend on the applicationpurpose. Besides the imaging system, the internal components include anarrow working channel, similar to that of an irrigation channel or abiopsy clamp, allowing physicians to conduct minimally invasivesurgeries. Currently, the most common laparoscopic and gastro-intestinalscopes used by physicians for biopsy, have a diameter of 2.8 mm and 3.2mm respectively to enable physicians to insert catheters or devices toconduct examination, electrical incision, suture, applying medicationand hemostasis, etc.

Physicians often use laparoscope and gastro-intestinal endoscope duringtreatment and minimally invasive surgery to examine an internal site orto inject liquid medications. The long and narrow characteristics of theworking channel often cause occlusion when injection medications whichcould present certain limitations. In current clinical settings,endoscope's irrigation or working channel could only delivery liquidform medications (soluble/insoluble solutions and gel), restricting anypowder and particle form medications that could easily lose itseffectiveness when it contacts water prior to blood. In addition,through the use of endoscopes physicians could often examine gastritislesions including tumors or ulcers and thereby provide the appropriatetopical medication directly to the site. Due to the length and thenarrowness of most laparoscopes and endoscopes, particles often couldnot overcome the resistance presented between air pressure and the innerlining of the tube which could lead to tip occlusion. Also, gastro andintestinal juice/mucus could easily enter the working channel causingobstruction. The most common problems associated with delivering drypowder medication through the working channel of an endoscopic cannulainclude that dry powder particles often occlude because of resistance inthe long and narrow cannula through the working channel of endoscope andexcess liquid and pressurized air mixed with dry particles could causeocclusion at the tip of the delivery catheter. These common problemsminimize physicians' ability to deliver powered medications directly andprecisely to the tissue/organ site of the human gastro-intestine viaendoscope.

The current invention specifically addresses these issues and providesphysicians a new alternative to delivery particles/powder medicationsdirectly to an internal site.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is advantageous in that it provides an internaldry powder delivery system which is capable of directly applying drypowder to internal tissue/organ site.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an internal drypowder delivery system via working channel of endoscopic cannula, whichis aimed to overcome the difficulties when directly applying powderedmedication to the tissue/organ site of human gastro-intestine throughthe narrow working channel of an endoscope.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a new drypowder-format drug delivery method and system thereof via workingchannel of endoscopic cannula, and its clinical applications, whichovercome the most common problems associated with delivering dry powdermedication through the working channel of an endoscopic cannula,including that dry powder particles often occlude because of resistancein the long and narrow cannula through the working channel of endoscopeand excess liquid and pressurized air mixed with dry particles couldcause occlusion at the tip of the delivery catheter. These commonproblems minimize physicians' ability to deliver powered medicationsdirectly and precisely to the tissue/organ site of the humangastro-intestine via endoscope.

Another advantage of the present invention is to offer physicians aninnovative powder medication delivery system and method thereof, a newdiagnosis and treatment alternatives when performing a minimallyinvasive procedure, such as via endoscope.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a new powderform medication delivery method for physicians via endoscope. Thismethod could be used with various purposes such as hemostatic,antibiotic, tissue repair, mucosal protection, ulcer repair andantineoplastic treatment, etc.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an internal drypowder delivery system which enables physicians to directly apply thebiocompatable polysaccharide hemostatic powder to the bleeding sites viaendoscope during invasive surgery to achieve hemostasis.

In order to accomplish the above advantages, the present inventionprovides an internal dry powder delivery system for delivering drypowder from outside to an internal operation site, comprising:

an elongated tubular delivery channel having a feeding opening at oneend thereof, an emitting opening at a distal end thereof adapted forreaching a position adjacent to the internal operation site, a diameter3.2 mm or less, and a length long enough for enabling the emittingopening reaching the internal operation site; and

a powder supply device which is connected to the feeding opening of thedelivery channel and comprises:

a gas-powder chamber a dry powder inlet for feeding in a predeterminedamount of dry powder therein and a dry powder outlet communicating withthe feeding opening of the delivery channel; and

a pressurized gas feeder producing pressurized gas in the gas-powderchamber mixing with the dry powder therein to form a mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas for blowing into the delivery channel throughthe feeding opening thereof, thereby a continuous feeding of thepressurized gas and the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas intothe delivery channel from the gas-powder chamber substantially rendersthe mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas to deliver to the emittingopening of the delivery channel and spray onto the designated internaloperation site.

The present invention also provides a method of delivering dry powderfrom outside to an internal operation site, comprising the steps of:

(a) extending a distal end of an elongated tubular delivery channel to aposition adjacent to an internal operation site while the other endthereof remains outside;

(b) producing pressurized gas and mixing the pressurized gas with drypowder to form a mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas in agas-powder chamber communicating with a feeding opening provided at theother end of the delivery channel; and

(c) continuously feeding the pressurized gas and the mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas from the gas-powder chamber into the deliverychannel via the feeding opening until a predetermined amount of themixture of dry powder and pressurized gas spray out of an emittingopening provided at the distal end of the delivery channel for applyingonto the internal operation site.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thedelivery channel can be inserted into a human or an animal body to reacha designated internal tissue operation site via a working channel ofendoscopic cannula.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an internal dry powder delivery systemaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the internal dry powder delivery systemaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein an alternative mode of the gas regulator is illustrated.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the internal dry powder delivery systemaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein another alternative mode of the gas regulator is illustrated.

to FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the internal dry powder delivery systemaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein another alternative mode of the gas regulator is illustrated.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the internal dry powder delivery systemaccording to an alternative mode of the above preferred embodiment ofthe present invention

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the internal powder delivery systemaccording to an alternative mode of the above preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating an end cap provided at theemitting opening of the delivery channel according to the abovepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the present invention provides an internaldry powder delivery system and method thereof for delivering dry powderfrom outside to a designated internal operation site. According to apreferred embodiment, the present invention discloses a new dry powdermedication delivery method via endoscope, and its clinical applications,as an example to illustrate the configuration and improved features ofthe present invention. It is preferably aimed to, but not limited to,overcome the difficulties when directly applying powder medication tothe internal operation (tissue/organ) site of human or animal such ashuman orgastro-intestine.

According to the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, thepresent invention enables the delivering of dry powder medicationthrough a working channel of an endoscopic cannula. In order to do so,the following problems must be overcome:

(i) Dry powder particles often occlude because of resistance in the longand narrow cannula through the working channel of endoscope.

(ii) Excess liquid and pressurized air mixed with dry particles couldalso cause occlusion at the tip of the delivery catheter.

These common problems minimize physicians' ability to deliver powermedications directly and precisely to the tissue/organ site of, forexample, the human gastro-intestine via endoscope. To effectivelyaddress the above technical difficulties, the present invention providesan internal dry powder delivery system for delivering dry powder fromoutside to an internal operation site, which comprises an elongatedtubular delivery channel 10 and a powder supply device 20.

The elongated tubular delivery channel 10 has a feeding opening 11 atone end thereof, an emitting opening 12 at a distal end thereof adaptedfor reaching a position adjacent to the internal operation site, adiameter preferably 3.2 mm or less, and a length long enough forenabling the emitting opening 12 reaching the internal operation site.

The powder supply device 20 which is connected to the feeding opening 11of the delivery channel 10 comprises a gas-powder chamber 21 and apressurized gas feeder 22.

The gas-powder chamber 21 has dry powder inlet 211 for feeding in apredetermined amount of dry powder therein and a dry powder outlet 212communicating with the feeding opening 11 of the delivery channel 10.

The pressurized gas feeder 22 produces pressurized gas in the gas-powderchamber 21 mixing with the dry powder therein to form a mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas for blowing into the delivery channel 10through the feeding opening 11 thereof. Thereby, a continuous feeding ofthe pressurized gas and the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gasinto the delivery channel 10 from the gas-powder chamber 21substantially renders the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas todeliver to the emitting opening 12 of the delivery channel 10 and sprayonto the designated internal operation site.

By means of the above system, the procedures of delivering dry powderfrom outside to the internal operation site comprise the steps of:

(a) extending a distal end of the elongated tubular delivery channel 10to a position adjacent to the internal operation site while the otherend thereof remains outside;

(b) producing pressurized gas and mixing the pressurized gas with thedry powder to form a mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas in thegas-powder chamber 21 communicating with the feeding opening 11 of thedelivery channel 10; and

(c) continuously feeding the pressurized gas and the mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas from the gas-powder chamber 21 into thedelivery channel 10 via the feeding opening 11 until a predeterminedamount of the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas spray out of theemitting opening 12 of the delivery channel for applying onto theinternal operation site.

The gas mentioned above can be any, but preferable medical use cleanair, oxygen, or carbon dioxide. The pressurized gas feeder 22 can beembodied as a manual air pump as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. The processbegins when the air is pumped into the air-powder chamber 21 (either bythe manual pump as shown in FIGS. 1-5 or the electrical pump as shown inFIG. 7) mixing with the dry particles of the dry powder. When thepresent invention is applied for diagnosis and treatment when performinga minimally invasive procedure via endoscope, the mixed dry powder andpressurized air are in turn delivered to an internal wound site throughthe delivery channel 10 within the working channel of the endoscope. Thedry powder finally is spray out to the target tissue or wound site fromthe emitting opening 12 of the delivery channel 10 under the control andmonitoring by physicians via endoscope.

The dry powder used in the present invention refers to dry, smooth andelastic particles. To also ensure a smooth delivery, powder particlesshould not exceed 400 um; the preferred particle diameter should bebetween 1 u-250 um.

The powder medications used in present invention include but are notlimited to anti-inflammatory drugs (Amoxicillin, Norfloxacin, Gentamicinetc.), anti-ulcer drugs and agents (Omeprazole, Ranitidine,Metronidazole or mucosal protective agent etc.), and anti-neoplasticdrugs (Cytotoxic, hormones or biological response modifier). Accordingto the preferred embodiment of the present invention, powder formStarch-derived Absorbable Polysaccharide Hemostat, SAPH, is used as thedry powder for hemostasis at the internal wound site.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the internal dry powder delivery system ofthe present invention offers physicians an alternative to apply dryhemostatic powder to an internal operation site which can be a surgicalwound site.

The powder supply device 20 is embodied to comprise a pressurized gasfeeder 22 which is an elastic hollow air pump securely connected to abase 23 in a detachable manner, wherein the dry powder 30 is receivedinside the pressurized gas feeder 22. The dry power inlet 211 of thegas-powder chamber 21 is detachablly connected to the base 23 andcommunicated with the pressurized gas feeder 22.

Therefore, by compressing the pressurized gas feeder 22, the SAPHparticles of dry powder 30 is pressurized to enter the gas-powderchamber 21. When the air pump 22 is compressed, air is pumped in thegas-powder chamber 21 through a gas regulator 24, which is a one-way airvalve, and mixes with the dry powder 30 in the air-powder chamber 21.When the manual air pump 22 is released, additional air enters throughthe gas regulator 24 to prevent negative air pressure within gas-powderchamber 21 to ensure the mixture of dry powder and pressurized airpumping into the delivery channel 10 in a one-way manner without anyre-sucking back into the gas-powder chamber 21.

According to the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the gasregulator 24 comprises a gas valve 240 provided at a side of thegas-powder chamber 21, which is about 2-5 cm preferably from the base 23and air communicating with delivery channel 10. A powder filter 241 isprovided between the gas-powder chamber 21 and the gas valve 240 toprevent any powder entering the gas valve 240.

The gas valve 240 according to the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG.1 comprises a hollow housing 242 having an air inletting opening 243, avalve ball 244 disposed inside the housing 242, and a position stopper245 provided at a bottom inside the housing 242. A diameter of the valveball 244 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 242 and larger thanthe inletting opening 243, and that the valve ball 244 can be movedbetween the inletting opening 243 and the position stopper 245. When thevalve ball 244 is pressed to block the inletting opening 243, the gasvalve 240 is closed from any air to enter. When the valve ball 244 isdropped to the position stopper 245, the inletting opening 243 is openedto enable air flowing into the powder supply device 20.

Accordingly, when the pressurized gas feeder (air pump) 22 iscompressed, a portion of the air pressure produced at the dry powderoutlet 212 (i.e. the position between the gas valve 240 and the feedingopening 11 of the delivery channel 10) presses the valve ball 244radically outwardly to block the inletting opening 243 so as to producethe air pressure in the gas-powder chamber 21 mixing with the dry powder30 and blow the dry powder 30 into the delivery channel 10 fordelivering the mixture of dry powder and pressurized air to the emittingopening 12 of the delivery channel 10 for spraying onto internaloperation site.

Once the air pressure is reduced when the compression to the pressurizedgas feeder 22 is released, the valve ball 244 drops and returns to theposition stopper 245 to reopen the inletting opening 243 so that air canenter the one-way gas valve 240 and supply to the pressurized gas feeder(air pump) 22 to release the negative air pressure therein in order toprevent any re-sucking of the dry powder 30 back to the pressurized gasfeeder 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, the gas regulator 24 comprises an alternative gasvalve 250 which comprises a housing 251 having an air inletting opening252, a resilient element 253 disposed within the housing 251, and ablocker 254 affixed to the resilient element 253 and positioned betweenthe inletting opening and the resilient element 253 within the housing251 for blocking or opening the inletting opening 252.

Accordingly, when the pressurized gas feeder (air pump) 22 iscompressed, a portion of the pressurized air produced at the dry powderoutlet 212 (i.e. the position between the gas regulator 24 and thefeeding opening 11 of the delivery channel 10) presses the blocker 254outwardly to block the inletting opening 252 so as to produce the airpressure in the gas-powder chamber 21 mixing with the dry powder 30 andblow the dry powder 30 into the delivery channel 10 for delivering themixture of dry powder and pressurized air to the emitting opening 12 ofthe delivery channel 10 for spraying onto internal operation site.

Once the air pressure is reduced when the compression to the pressurizedgas feeder 22 is released, the blocker 254 rebound by the resilientelement 253 to return to its original position When the pressurized gasfeeder (air pump) 22 is compressed, the air pressure produced at the drypowder outlet 212 presses the ball 263 to move from the front end piece2611 towards the rear end piece 2612 to open the feeding valve 260 fordelivering the mixture of dry powder and pressurized air to the emittingopening 12 of the delivery channel 10 for spraying onto the internaloperation site.

Once the air pressure is reduced when the compression to the pressurizedgas feeder 22 is released, the spring element 262 rebound the ball 263to its original position to block the entrance of the front end piece2611 to close the feeding valve 260.

Referring to FIG. 3, the gas regulator 24 of the above preferredembodiment as illustrated in FIG. 2 further comprises a one-way feedingvalve 260 affixed at the dry powder outlet 212 of the gas-powder chamber21, positioning right after the gas valve 250. The one-way feeding valve26 comprises a seat 261 affixed inside the feeding opening 11 having afront end piece 2611 and a rear end piece 2622 defining a chambertherebetween, a spring element 262, and a ball 263 which is attached toa front end of the spring element 262 in such a manner that the ball 263is able to be moved axially inside the delivery channel 10 between thetwo end pieces 2611, 2612.

When the pressurized gas feeder (air pump) 22 is compressed, the airpressure produced at the dry powder outlet 212 presses the ball 263 tomove from the front end piece 2611 towards the rear end piece 2612 toopen the feeding valve 260 for delivering the mixture of dry powder andpressurized air to the emitting opening 12 of the delivery channel 10for spraying onto the internal operation site.

Once the air pressure is reduced when the compression to the pressurizedgas feeder 22 is released, the spring element 262 rebound the ball 263to its original position to block the entrance of the front end piece2611 to close the feeding valve 260.

Referring to FIG. 4, the gas regulator 24 of the above preferredembodiment as is substituted by an alternative gas regulator 24′ whichincludes an alternative gas valve 270 and an alternative feeding valve280 to substitute the gas valve 250 and feeding valve 260 respectively.The gas valve 270, which is provided at an air opening 210 formed at aside of the gas-powder chamber 21, comprises a resilient blockingelement 271 in umbrella shape disposed in the gas-powder chamber 21 in amovable manner between a blocking position to block the air opening 210when it is moved towards the air opening 210 and an opening position tounblock the air opening 210 when it is moved away from the air opening210. The feeding valve 280 is a one-way valve that is normally closedand opens due to pressurized air pushing towards the emitting opening12.

When the pressurized gas feeder (air pump) 22 is compressed, the airpressure produced at the dry powder outlet 212 presses the resilientblocking element 271 to block the air opening 210 and opens the feedingvalve 280 for delivering the mixture of dry powder and pressurized airto the emitting opening 12 of the delivery channel 10 for spraying ontothe internal operation site.

Once the air pressure is reduced when the compression to the pressurizedgas feeder 22 is released, the feeding valve 280 returns to its closeposition and the resilient blocking element 271 rebounds to its originalposition to reopen the air opening 210 so that air can enter the gasvalve 270 and supply to the pressurized gas feeder (air pump) 22 torelease the negative air pressure therein in order to prevent anyre-sucking of the dry powder 30 back to the pressurized gas feeder 22.

According to the preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, thepressurized gas feeder 22 is screwed to the base 23 so that one canunscrew and detach the pressurized gas feeder 22 to refill powder 30into the empty pressurized gas feeder 22 or filling it with differentpowder medication. Also, it is appreciated that more than onepressurized gas feeders can be used to selectively communicate with thegas-powder chamber 21 for different applications.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative mode of the powder supply device 20′of the internal dry powder delivery system is illustrated, which isconnected to the feeding opening 11 of the delivery channel 10 similarto the above preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The powdersupply device 20′ comprises a gas-powder chamber 21′ and a pressurizedgas feeder 22′.

The gas-powder chamber 21′ has dry powder inlet 211′ for feeding in apredetermined amount of dry powder therein and a dry powder outlet 212′communicating with the feeding opening 11 of the delivery channel 10.

The pressurized gas feeder 22′ produces pressurized gas in thegas-powder chamber 21′ mixing with the dry powder therein to form amixture of dry powder and pressurized gas for blowing into the deliverychannel 10 through the feeding opening 11 thereof. Thereby, a continuousfeeding of the pressurized gas and the mixture of dry powder andpressurized gas into the delivery channel 10 from the gas-powder chamber21′ substantially renders the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gasto deliver to the emitting opening 12 of the delivery channel 10 andspray onto the designated internal operation site.

The powder supply device 20′ further comprises a powder feeder 23′ whichis seadedly connected to the dry powder inlet 211′ provided at a side ofthe gas-powder chamber 21′ in a detachable manner while the exit opening231′ of the powder feeder 23′ is communicated with the dry powder inlet211′. The dry powder 30 is received in the powder feeder 23′ andarranged to feed into the gas-powder chamber 21′ through the exitopening 231′ and the dry powder inlet 211′.

The pressurized gas feeder 22′ which is a manual bladder air pumpsealedly connected to one end of the gas-powder chamber 21′ for pumpingpressurized air into the gas-powder chamber 21′ manually. The gasregulator 24′ comprises a one-way gas valve 221′ provided on thepressurized gas feeder 22′ and a feeding valve 280′ affixed at the drypowder outlet 212′ of the gas-powder chamber 21′, similar to that asshown in FIG. 4,

Accordingly, when the pressurized gas feeder 22′ is compressed, the gasvalve 221′ is closed to block any outside air entering the pressurizedgas feeder 22′ so as to pump in pressurized air into the gas-powderchamber 21′ mixing with the dry powder 30 therein, to open the feedingvalve 280′ and to blow the dry powder 30 into the delivery channel 10′for delivering the mixture of dry powder and pressurized air to theemitting opening 12 of the delivery channel 10 for spraying ontointernal operation site.

Once the air pressure is reduced when the compression to the pressurizedgas feeder 22′ is released, the feeding valve 280′ returns to its closeposition and the gas valve 221′ opens to enable external gas (outsideair) entering the pressurized gas feeder 22′ to release the negative airpressure therein in order to prevent any re-sucking of the dry powder 30back to the gas-powder chamber 21′ and the pressurized gas feeder 22′.

According to the preferred embodiment, the powder feeder 23′ is screwedto the dry powder inlet 211′ so that one can unscrew and detach thepowder feeder 23′ to refill the empty powder feeder 23′ or filling itwith different powder medication. Also, it is appreciated that more thanone powder feeders can be used to selectively communicate with the drypowder inlet 211′ for different applications.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative mode of the embodiment as shown inFIG. 5, wherein the powder feeder 23′ is substituted by a powered powderfeeder 23″ to automatically feeding in dry powder 30 into the gas-powderchamber 21′ and the pressurized gas feeder 22′ is also substituted by anelectrical pressurized gas feeder 22″ which is an electrical air pump toautomatically and continuously produce positive pressurized air into thegas-powder chamber 21′. Since both the powder feeder 23″ and thepressurized gas feeder 22″ are automate devices, processor can be usedto provide electronic control of the powder feeder 23″ to equipped withthe pressurized gas feeder 22″ to ensure continuous and smooth feedingof the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas to the delivery channel10 and spraying onto the designated internal operation site.

It is worth mentioning that more than one powder feeders 23′ or 23″ canbe used to connect to the gas-powder chamber 21, 21′ which areselectively switched to equip with the pressurized gas feeder 22′, 22″to feeding dry powder through the delivery channel 10. Also, a cathetercan be used and functioned as the delivery channel 10.

Referring to FIG. 7, the internal dry powder delivery system of thepresent invention as embodied and disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 6 may furthercomprises an end cap 40 which is arranged to normally cover the emittingopening 12 and be removed to open the emitting opening 12 for sprayingthe dry powder 30 onto the internal operation site. According to thepreferred embodiment, the delivery channel 10 further comprises anadditional operation channel 13 along the length of the delivery channel10 and an operation cable 41 having one end connected to the end cap 40and another end extended through the operation channel 13 to connectwith a handle 411. The end cap 40 remains covering the emitting opening12 to prevent any body fluid such as blood, gastric juice, and etc.,entering the emitting opening 12 while inserting and extending thedelivery channel 10 inside the human or animal body to the designatedinternal operation (tissue/organ) site. When the emitting opening 12reaches a position adjacent to the designated internal operation site,the user can simply operate the handle 411 to pull the operation cable41 to pivotally move the end cap 40 away from the emitting opening 12 toopen it so as to enabling the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gasto be pumped to spray onto the designated internal operation(tissue/organ) site.

Alternatively, the end cap 40 can be detachably attached to the distalend of the delivery channel 10 to cover the emitting opening 12. Afterthe delivery channel 10 is inserted into the beings until the emittingopening 12 reaches a position adjacent to the internal operation siteand the mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas is deliver to theemitting opening 12, the pressure of the pressurized gas is capable ofpushing the end cap 40 to detach from distal end and open the emittingopening 12.

In view of above, the pressurized gas feeder of the present inventioncan selectively use one of following types of air pressure source:

1. By connecting to the manual air pump 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5,physicians can either continuously or sporadically control the amount ofair/powder released into the gas-powder chamber 21, 21′. The gas valvesof the hand pump can prevent powder/air reflux, which ensure one-waydelivery to the designated internal operation site. Manual air pumpgives physicians simple control over the amount of powder and airentering the delivery channel 10.

2. Using the electrical pump as shown in FIG. 6 offers a more consistentflow of gas or air. The gas or air released from the electrical pumpwill enter the gas-powder chamber 21, 21′, mix with the dry powderparticles and go through the connected delivery channel 10. Gas valve isinstalled in the device to prevent air/powder reflux.

3. The device could be connected to medical-use oxygen, carbon dioxide,and other medical use clean-air to offer a continuously flow of gas andlimit the possibility of powder and tip occlusion in the deliverychannel 10. The gas supply to be used can be directly fed to theinletting opening 243 of the gas valve 240 as shown in FIG. 1, theinletting opening 252 of the gas valve 250 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the air opening 210 as shown in FIG. 4, and the gas valve 221′ as shownin FIG. 5.

Besides the options for various air/gas sources, the current inventionoffers two types of air-powder chambers to provide a tailor-madeapparatus via endoscope for any minimally invasive procedures both fordiagnosis and treatments.

The first option offers the three-way air-powder chamber with anexternal gas source, a powder feeder, a pressurized gas feeder, and adelivery channel (catheter) attached to the gas-powder chamber. The mainbody of the gas-powder chamber has two incoming openings, for both gasand the dry powder, and a dry powder outlet connected to the catheter.The incoming gas flow will mix with the dry powder released from thepowder feeder and then delivered through the catheter of the workingchannel via endoscope.

The second option provides a two-way air-powder chamber; it only has anincoming and outgoing opening. It differs with the previous device byeliminating the external powder feeder since the main mixing chamber ispre-filled with the dry powder. Once the gas is released, it mixes withthe dry powder and the mixture is delivered through catheter of theworking channel via endoscope. It is preferably for portable anddisposable usage due to its compact size and simplified structure.

The delivery channel 10 will preferably used with medical-use materialssuch as PE and TEF. It is essential to select a material that has thestrength and the flexibility to be inserted into the working channel ofendoscope and endure any folding or twisting which could causecongestion. For gastro-intestinal endoscope, the diameter of thedelivery channel 10 is preferably smaller than the regular workingchannel's diameter of the endoscope being used. Currently, the standardworking channel diameters of gastro and intestinal endoscope are about2.8 mm and 3.2 mm respectively. The length of the delivery channel 10should be longer than the total length of the endoscope which it isinserted into. Normally, the average total length of gastro andintestinal endoscope are about 1600 mm and 2300 mm respectively.

Besides the incoming gas source and the outgoing channel, all connectingoutlets of the system should remain completely sealed throughout use tominimize air/powder reflux and tip occlusion.

It is worth mentioning that the pressure of gas should be maintainedhigher enough to overcome the resistance of particles with particles,particles with the systems, plus the pressure inside of gastro-intestinewhere the catheter tip located.

The internal dry powder delivery system of the present inventiondifferentiates itself from conventional medication delivery method inits specification for the delivery of dry powder particles via theworking channel of an endoscope. For example, prior art patent,WO2006/049463A1, focuses on liquid and gel-form medication delivery.Liquid's fluidity causes minimal obstruction in the working channel ofthe endoscope, which does not contain the same strategy and technologyas a dry powder delivery service via endoscope.

The current endoscope invention includes both gastro and intestinalendoscopes. It can be also adapted in laparoscope, thoracoscope,hysteroscope, cytoscope, laryngoscope, and nasopharyngoscope. Theworking channel diameter of laparoscope, thoracoscope, hysteroscope,cytoscope and laryngoscope are normally much bigger thangastro-intestinal endoscope. So the challenges will be less forphysicians to deliver the powder format drug to the wound sites vialaparscope, thoracoscope, hysteroscope, cytoscope and laryngoscope

The working channel mentioned above is the irrigation channel or abiopsy clamp channel in the endoscopic cannula.

The present invention offers a new powder format drug delivery methodfor physicians via endoscope. It could be used with various purposessuch as hemostatic, antibiotic, tissue repair, mucosal protection, ulcerrepair and antineoplastic treatment, etc.

By using the internal dry powder delivery system of the presentinvention, physicians can directly apply the biocompatablepolysaccharide hemostatic powder to the bleeding sites via endoscopeduring invasive surgery to achieve hemostasis.

When all components (pressurized gas feeder, gas-powder chamber, andworking delivery channel) are assembled, the present invention canprovide a complete and new applicator via endoscope. The manual air pumpand powder feeder allow physicians to control the flow of air and theamount of powder released through the delivery channel. The gas andfeeding valves provided to the gas-powder chamber will eliminateair/powder reflux. The mechanism of this system begins with the releaseof gas by a manual or electrical air pump, which mixes with the drypowder presented in the air-powder chamber. By compressing thepressurized gas feeder and/or the dry powder feeder, physicians caneasily control the amount of gas/power mixture released into thedelivery channel. The gas flow continues to push the mixture throughoutthe entire delivery channel, overcoming any obstructions presented bythe channel wall and/or between particles.

By using the internal dry powder delivery system of as suggested in thepresent invention, physicians can directly apply the powder-formatbiocompatible adhesives to the wound site in the gastro-intestinal wallvia endoscope by minimal invasive surgery to achieve hemostasis andsealant treatment.

By using the internal dry powder delivery system as disclosed in thepresent invention, physicians can directly apply the antibiotic powderto the infection site in the gastro-intestinal wall via endoscope byminimal invasive surgery to achieve anti-infection treatment.

By using the internal dry powder delivery system as disclosed in thepresent invention, physicians can directly apply the anti-ulcer powderform medication to the ulcer site in the gastro-intestinal wall viaendoscope by minimal invasive surgery to achieve anti-ulcer treatment.

By using the internal dry powder delivery system as disclosed in thepresent invention, physicians can directly apply the anti-cancer/tumorpowder form medication to the cancer/tumor site in the gastro-intestinalwall via endoscope by minimal invasive surgery to achieve antineoplastictreatment.

By using the internal dry powder delivery system as disclosed in thepresent invention, physicians can directly apply the illustrating agentto the cancer/tumor site in the gastro-intestinal wall.

By using the internal dry powder delivery system and method thereof asdisclosed in the present invention, physicians can apply many clinicalapplication and treatment to patient such as hemostasis, sealing woundtissue, anti-inflamation, anti-ulcer treatment, antineoplastictreatment.

The internal dry powder delivery system and method thereof as disclosedin the present invention can be specifically designed for examination,diagnosis and treatments practices in humans and mammals. It could alsobe used in forensic science such as autopsy, anatomy research andscientific experiments. Besides medical and scientific uses, theinternal dry powder delivery system of the present invention can beapplied in engineering, military affairs, navigation, and aviation.

The internal dry powder delivery system and method thereof as disclosedin the present invention can be specifically designed for examination,diagnosis and treatments practices in humans and mammals.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1. An internal dry powder delivery system for delivering dry powder toan internal operation site of beings, comprising: an elongated tubulardelivery channel having a feeding opening at one end thereof, anemitting opening at a distal end thereof adapted for reaching a positionadjacent to said internal operation site, a diameter of 3.2 mm or less,and a length long enough for said emitting opening reaching saidinternal operation site; and a powder supply device, which is connectedto said feeding opening of said delivery channel, comprising: agas-powder chamber having a dry powder inlet for feeding in apredetermined amount of dry powder therein and a dry powder outletcommunicating with said feeding opening of said delivery channel; and apressurized gas feeder producing pressurized gas in said gas-powderchamber mixing with said dry powder to form a mixture of dry powder andpressurized gas for blowing into said delivery channel through saidfeeding opening thereof; thereby a continuous feeding of saidpressurized gas and said mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas intosaid delivery channel from said gas-powder chamber substantiallydelivers said mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas to said emittingopening of said delivery channel and sprays onto said designatedinternal operation site.
 2. The system, as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid gas is selected from a group consisting of medical use clean air,oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
 3. The system, as recited in claim 1,wherein said dry powder contains particles being not exceed 400 um. 4.The system, as recited in claim 3, wherein said particles of said drypowder having a diameter between 1 u-250 um.
 5. The system, as recitedin claim 3, wherein said dry powder is selected from a group consistingof anti-inflammatory medications, anti-ulcer medications and agents,anti-neoplastic medications, and Starch-derived AbsorbablePolysaccharide Hemostat, SAPH.
 6. The system, as recited in claim 1,wherein said pressurized gas feeder comprises a base, a pump connectedto said base and a gas regulator for controlling gas flowing in onedirection, wherein dry powder is received inside said pressurized gasfeeder and said dry power inlet of said gas-powder chamber is connectedto said base and communicated with said pressurized gas feeder, so thatby compressing said pressurized gas feeder, said dry powder ispressurized into said gas-powder chamber, whereby when said pump iscompressed, said gas is pumped into said gas-powder chamber to mix withsaid dry powder therein, wherein when said pump is released, additionalgas enters through said gas regulator to prevent negative gas pressurewithin said gas-powder chamber to ensure said mixture of dry powder andpressurized gas feeding into said delivery channel in a one-way mannerwithout any re-sucking back into said gas-powder chamber.
 7. The system,as recited in claim 6, wherein said gas regulator comprises a gas valveprovided at a side of said gas-powder chamber.
 8. The system, as recitedin claim 7, wherein a powder filter is provided between said gas-powderchamber and said gas valve to prevent any dry powder entering said gasvalve.
 9. The system, as recited in claim 8, wherein said gas valvecomprises a hollow housing having an gas inletting opening, a valve balldisposed inside said housing, and a position stopper provided at abottom inside said housing, wherein a diameter of said valve ball issmaller than said diameter of said housing and larger than saidinletting opening, and that said valve ball is capable of moving betweensaid inletting opening and said position stopper, so that when saidvalve ball is pressed to block said inletting opening, said gas valve isclosed from any gas to enter, and that when said valve ball returns tosaid position stopper, said inletting opening is opened to enable gasflowing into said powder supply device.
 10. The system, as recited inclaim 7, wherein said gas regulator comprises an gas valve whichcomprises a housing having an gas inletting opening, a resilient elementdisposed within said housing, and a blocker attached to said resilientelement and positioned between said inletting opening and said resilientelement within said housing for selectively blocking and opening saidinletting opening.
 11. The system, as recited in claim 6, wherein saidgas regulator comprises a one-way feeding valve provided at said drypowder outlet of said gas-powder chamber to prevent said mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas from flowing back to said gas-powder chamber.12. The system, as recited in claim 11, wherein said one-way feedingvalve comprises a seat which is affixed inside said feeding opening andhas a front end piece and a rear end piece defining a chambertherebetween, a spring element, and a ball which is attached to a frontend of said spring element in such a manner that said ball is able to bemoved axially inside said delivery channel between said front and rearend pieces, whereby when said pressurized gas feeder is compressed, gaspressure produced at said dry powder outlet presses said ball to movefrom said front end piece towards said rear end piece to open saidfeeding valve for delivering said mixture of dry powder and pressurizedgas to said emitting opening of said delivery channel, wherein once saidgas pressure is reduced when said compression to said pressurized gasfeeder is released, said spring element rebounds said ball to anoriginal position thereof to block an entrance of said front end pieceto close said feeding valve.
 13. The system, as recited in claim 10,wherein said gas regulator further comprises a one-way feeding valveaffixed at said dry powder outlet of said gas-powder chamber,positioning right after said gas valve, wherein said one-way feedingvalve comprises a seat which is affixed inside said feeding opening andhas a front end piece and a rear end piece defining a chambertherebetween, a spring element, and a ball which is attached to a frontend of said spring element in such a manner that said ball is able to bemoved axially inside said delivery channel between said front and rearend pieces, whereby when said pressurized gas feeder is compressed, gaspressure produced at said dry powder outlet presses said ball to movefrom said front end piece towards said rear end piece to open saidfeeding valve for delivering said mixture of dry powder and pressurizedgas to said emitting opening of said delivery channel, wherein once saidgas pressure is reduced when said compression to said pressurized gasfeeder is released, said spring element rebounds said ball to anoriginal position thereof to block an entrance of said front end pieceto close said feeding valve.
 14. The system, as recited in claim 6,wherein said gas regulator includes an gas valve and a feeding valve,wherein said gas valve, which is provided at an gas opening formed at aside of said gas-powder chamber, comprises a resilient blocking elementdisposed in said gas-powder chamber in a movable manner between ablocking position to block said gas opening while moving towards saidgas opening and an opening position to unblock said gas opening whilemoving away from said gas opening, wherein said feeding valve is aone-way valve that is closed normally and opened due to pressurized gaspushing towards said emitting opening, whereby when said pressurized gasfeeder is compressed, gas pressure produced at said dry powder outletpresses said resilient blocking element to block said gas opening andopens said feeding valve for delivering said mixture of dry powder andpressurized gas to said emitting opening of said delivery channel,wherein once said gas pressure is reduced when said compression to saidpressurized gas feeder is released, said feeding valve is closed andsaid resilient blocking element rebounds to an original position thereofto reopen said gas opening so that gas can enter said gas valve andsupply to said pressurized gas feeder to release a negative gas pressuretherein in order to prevent any re-sucking of said dry powder back tosaid pressurized gas feeder.
 15. The system, as recited in claim 1,wherein said powder supply device further comprises a powder feederconnected to said dry powder inlet provided at a side of said gas-powderchamber while an exit opening of said powder feeder communicating withsaid dry powder inlet, wherein dry powder is received in said powderfeeder and capable of being fed into said gas-powder chamber throughsaid exit opening and said dry powder inlet.
 16. The system, as recitedin claim 15, wherein said pressurized gas feeder is a manual bladder gaspump connected to one end of said gas-powder chamber for pumpingpressurized gas into said gas-powder chamber.
 17. The system, as recitedin claim 15, wherein said powder feeder is powered powder feeder toautomatically feeding in said dry powder into said gas-powder chamberand said pressurized gas feeder is an electrical pressurized gas feederfor automatically and continuously producing positive pressurized gas insaid gas-powder chamber.
 18. The system, as recited in claim 15, whereinsaid pressurized gas feeder further comprises a gas regulator whichcomprises a one-way gas valve provided on said pressurized gas feederand a feeding valve affixed at said dry powder outlet of said gas-powderchamber, whereby when said pressurized gas feeder is compressed, saidgas valve is closed to block any outside gas entering said pressurizedgas feeder, so as to pump in pressurized gas into said gas-powderchamber mixing with said dry powder therein to form a mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas, to open said feeding valve, and to feed saiddry powder into said delivery channel for delivering said mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas to said emitting opening of said deliverychannel, wherein once gas pressure is reduced when said compression tosaid pressurized gas feeder is released, said feeding valve is closedand said gas valve opens to enable external gas entering saidpressurized gas feeder to release a negative gas pressure therein inorder to prevent any re-sucking of said dry powder back to said powdersupply device.
 19. The system, as recited in claim 16, wherein saidpressurized gas feeder further comprises a gas regulator which comprisesa one-way gas valve provided on said pressurized gas feeder and afeeding valve affixed at said dry powder outlet of said gas-powderchamber, whereby when said pressurized gas feeder is compressed, saidgas valve is closed to block any outside gas entering said pressurizedgas feeder, so as to pump in pressurized gas into said gas-powderchamber mixing with said dry powder therein to form a mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas, to open said feeding valve, and to feed saiddry powder into said delivery channel for delivering said mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas to said emitting opening of said deliverychannel, wherein once gas pressure is reduced when said compression tosaid pressurized gas feeder is released, said feeding valve is closedand said gas valve opens to enable external gas entering saidpressurized gas feeder to release a negative gas pressure therein inorder to prevent any re-sucking of said dry powder back to said powdersupply device.
 20. The system, as recited in claim 17, wherein saidpressurized gas feeder further comprises a gas regulator which comprisesa one-way gas valve provided on said pressurized gas feeder and afeeding valve affixed at said dry powder outlet of said gas-powderchamber, whereby when said pressurized gas feeder is compressed, saidgas valve is closed to block any outside gas entering said pressurizedgas feeder, so as to pump in pressurized gas into said gas-powderchamber mixing with said dry powder therein to form a mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas, to open said feeding valve, and to feed saiddry powder into said delivery channel for delivering said mixture of drypowder and pressurized gas to said emitting opening of said deliverychannel, wherein once gas pressure is reduced when said compression tosaid pressurized gas feeder is released, said feeding valve is closedand said gas valve opens to enable external gas entering saidpressurized gas feeder to release a negative gas pressure therein inorder to prevent any re-sucking of said dry powder back to said powdersupply device.
 21. The system, as recited in claim 1, further comprisingan end cap covering said emitting opening, which is capable of operatingto open so as to enable said mixture of dry powder and pressurized gasto spray through said emitting opening of said delivery channel.
 22. Thesystem, as recited in claim 21, wherein said delivery channel furthercomprises an additional operation channel extended along a length ofsaid delivery channel and an operation cable having one end connected tosaid end cap and another end extended through said operation channel tooutside for pulling to move said end cap away from and open saidemitting opening of said delivery channel.
 23. The system, as recited inclaim 6, further comprising an end cap covering said emitting opening,which is capable of operating to open so as to enable said mixture ofdry powder and pressurized gas to spray through said emitting opening ofsaid delivery channel.
 24. The system, as recited in claim 23, whereinsaid delivery channel further comprises an additional operation channelextended along a length of said delivery channel and an operation cablehaving one end connected to said end cap and another end extendedthrough said operation channel to outside for pulling to move said endcap away from and open said emitting opening of said delivery channel.25. The system, as recited in claim 15, further comprising an end capcovering said emitting opening, which is capable of operating to open soas to enable said mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas to spraythrough said emitting opening of said delivery channel.
 26. The system,as recited in claim 25, wherein said delivery channel further comprisesan additional operation channel extended along a length of said deliverychannel and an operation cable having one end connected to said end capand another end extended through said operation channel to outside forpulling to move said end cap away from and open said emitting opening ofsaid delivery channel.
 27. A method of delivering dry powder to aninternal operation site of beings, comprising the steps of: (a)extending a distal end of an elongated tubular delivery channel to aposition adjacent to said internal operation site; (b) producingpressurized gas and mixing said pressurized gas with dry powder to forma mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas in a gas-powder chambercommunicating with a feeding opening of said delivery channel; and (c)continuously feeding said mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas andsaid pressurized gas from said gas-powder chamber into said deliverychannel via said feeding opening until a predetermined amount of saidmixture of dry powder and pressurized gas spraying out from an emittingopening of said distal end of said delivery channel for applying ontosaid internal operation site.
 28. The method, as recited in claim 27,wherein, in the step (a), said delivery channel is extended viaendoscope.
 29. The method, as recited in claim 28, wherein said gas isselected from a group consisting of medical use clean air, oxygen, andcarbon dioxide.
 30. The method, as recited in claim 28, wherein said drypowder contains particles being not exceed 400 um.
 31. The method, asrecited in claim 30, wherein said particles of said dry powder having adiameter between lu-250 um.
 32. The method, as recited in claim 30,wherein said dry powder is selected from a group consisting ofanti-inflammatory medications, anti-ulcer medications and agents,anti-neoplastic medications, and Starch-derived AbsorbablePolysaccharide Hemostat, SAPH.
 33. The method, as recited in claim 27,wherein said internal operation site is an infection site ingastro-intestinal wall and said dry powder is an antibiotic powderapplied to said infection site in said gastro-intestinal wall viaendoscope by minimal invasive surgery to achieve anti-infectiontreatment.
 34. The method, as recited in claim 27, wherein said internaloperation site is an ulcer site in a gastro-intestinal wall and said drypowder is an anti-ulcer powder form drug applied to said ulcer site viaendoscope by minimal invasive surgery to achieve anti-ulcer treatment.35. The method, as recited in claim 27, wherein said internal operationsite is a cancer/tumor site in a gastro-intestinal wall and said drypowder is an anti-cancer/tumor powder form medication applied to saidcancer/tumor site via endoscope by minimal invasive surgery to achieveantineoplastic treatment.
 36. The method, as recited in claim 27,wherein said internal operation site is a cancer/tumor site in agastro-intestinal wall and said dry powder is an illustrating agentapplied to said cancer/tumor site via endoscope by minimal invasiveprocedure to inspect tissue disorder.
 37. The method, as recited inclaim 27, wherein said internal operation site is a wound site in agastro-intestinal wall and said dry powder is a hemostatic agent appliedto said wound site via endoscope for a treatment selected from a groupconsisting of hemostasis, sealing wound tissue, anti-inflamation,anti-ulcer treatment, and antineoplastic treatment.